Richard Shindell Sparrows Point CD

Though he would come to notoriety in the late '90s through Joan Baez and Dar Williams' cover versions of his songs, and his participation in Cry, Cry, Cry, a trio including Williams and Lucy Kaplansky, Shindell seemed to come out of nowhere with 1992's SPARROW'S POINT. His rich baritone is reminiscent of John Gorka (with whom Shindell played in a college group), and his dark, poetic songs show the influence of Richard Thompson and Leonard Cohen.

Nevertheless, Shindell is a complete original, and this debut shows an artist already fully formed, thanks in part to an apprenticeship on the do-or-die New York singer-songwriter scene. Imagistic reveries like "On a Sea of Fleur-De-Lis" and ominous story-songs like "By Now" are indicative of a world-class songwriter with a unique vision.

All songs written by Richard Shindell.

Recorded at Synergy Sound, Great Neck and Shelter Island Sound, New York.

Personnel: Richard Shindell (electric guitar); Steve Addabbo (electric guitar, organ); Greg Anderson (electric guitar); Larry Campbell, Winifred Horan (violin); Mark Hamza, Margo Hennebach (organ); Kenneth Blevins, Howie Wyeth (drums); Mark McColl, Marshall Rosenberg (percussion); Diane Chodkowski, Ilene Weiss, Jack Hardy, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: David Seitz; Greg Anderson; Judith Zweiman; Richard Meyer.

Recording information: Shelter Island Sound, NY, NY; Synergy Sound, Great Nek, NY.

Personnel: Richard Shindell (guitar, vocals); Steve Addabbo (guitars, organ, background vocals); Greg Anderson (guitar, bass); Larry Campbell (pedal steel, banjo, violin); Winifred Horan (violin); Joanie Madden (whistles); Mark Hamza, Margo Hennebach (organ); Mark Dann, Chris Bishop (bass); Kenneth Blevins, Howie Wyeth (drums); Marshal Rosenberg, Mark McColl (percussion); Ilene Weiss, Jack Hardy, Diane Chodkowski, Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka (background vocals).

Producers: David Seitz, Steve Addabbo, Richard Shindell.